Gun store owner refuses to sell weapon to man suspected of planning mass shooting at university

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A gun store owner is being credited with possibly stopping a mass shooting at Ohio University after he refused to sell a gun to a man who passed a background check, CNN reported on Sunday.

James Howard passed a background check when attempting to buy a long gun last Monday, but sounded as if he might be planning to hurt himself or others, John Downs, owner of Downs Bait and Guns, told local TV station WSYX.

"I just said, you know what, bud, I have a really bad feeling about this. I just can't sell you the gun," Downs said.

The former Ohio University student and hockey player left the store angry, and later returned, according to Downs.

The store owner then turned off the shop’s “open” sign, told his customers to hide, loaded three guns, and called 911, he said.

Howard was later arrested at a nearby Walmart while buying survival gear, CNN reports.

"From what I know of the circumstances, I believe he did prevent a mass shooting that was probably going to occur at (Ohio University) in Athens,” said Hocking County Sheriff's Office Sheriff Lanny North. “He had an enormous amount of ammunition he was going to purchase, shotgun shells and 22-caliber rifle ammunition.”

Ohio University police were preparing to send out a campus alert when Howard was apprehended, CNN reports.

Howard was being held on burglary and weapons charges, and in lieu of $100,000 bail.